Clinic opens to treat World of Warcraft addiction… for $14,000

It takes a callous soul to ridicule the World of Warcraft addict. There’s certainly nothing funny about the symptoms. World of Warcraft is turning our nation’s brightest minds into gelid, sunken-chested albinos. Their language cortexes have withered into atrophied nuts only capable of processing human communication through strange gibberish like, “Q_Q moar, n00b.” And they defecate in socks to spend their days in a lurid fantasy world in which they — and everyone they know — is a flamboyant, scantly clad elf. It’s a blight upon America’s youth, that’s for certain.

Thank god, then, that serious programs are starting to be put into place to help people get the help they need. Enter ReStart, a World of Warcraft addiction clinic that opened in July and for the altruistic price of a mere $14,000 offers a 45 day program that “employs a cold-turkey approach to help people wean themselves from pathological computer use, which can include obsessive use of video games, texting, social networks, online auctions and other technological time-killers,” according to the executive director of the center, the appropriately christened Hilarie Cash.

And what are the symptoms, according to Cash? “Internet addicts miss out on real conversations and real human development, often see their hygiene, their home and relationships deteriorate, don’t eat or sleep properly and don’t get enough exercise.”

In other words, the World of Warcraft addict is not an animal, no matter how much he might smell like one. He’s just an Internet enthusiast like you or me! Thank heavens ReSTART is there to help him along the way to wellness by making him $14,000 poorer.

Speak Your Mind

Randy

World of Warcraft Addiction.

I too have a son who has moved back home due to him quitting his job so he can play more. He’s 21 years old and had such great prospects ahead of him. He was quite sociable, open to discussions and even enjoyed debating any item at length. Not a Straight A student by any means, but an above average study with great talents.

Then he found World of Warcraft.
Since then, his college classes have suffered, he’s failing exams, using student loan money to upgrade his computer systems ($6,000 so far), and has strapped himself to the point he had to move back home.

I didn’t understand the addiction until a friend of mine in cyber security told me how to block the WOW server access without blocking internet access in our home. By programming my router i was able to block port 3724 on the system, thus ending his access to WOW.

Unfortunately, i had to build a vented cabinet with locks to house the cable modem, the router, and finally a small mini switch that got it’s power from a light timer. Easy way to kill the power to his access so he can’t play or surf the internet at night. I’m an engineer by trade and my son is studying to complete his degree in computer science and business management.

Now, he’s gained over 60 pounds, never leaves the house, and spends at least 14 hours a day on his computer.

His reaction to my blocking the WOW server was unbelievable. This normally quiet, easy going, and friendly sole who hates anyone who curses, was visibly shaking as he woke me from my sleep time (i work mids/nights). Raging at the fact that he couldn’t get on line to do his weekend “raid”. Every fourth or fifth word was some of the foulest language i’ve ever heard him utter as he demanded to have his access back. How dare i block him without telling him first.

I simply told him that since he was living at home off the household budget, that he would have to follow the rules of the house. And that since he had moved back home, his mother and I had given him 6 weeks to find work to either pay rent, or help pay his way thus releiveing the strain on the budget. Well, 6 weeks came and went, and no job. In fact, my router logs showed him on line an average of 14 to 16 hours a day. Our electric bill has nearly doubled with his arrival and the 1.4 megawatts of power he uses daily.

Either way, this is his last weekend of WOW gaming. I’ve given my son three choices. Lose the WOW, Move up north with his grandfather who has no internet access, and never will. Or Move out. Needless to say, he stated that he would do none of these. Either way, if I have to, i’ll pull the plug on our home internet for good. This ends this weekend.

For anyone who needs to understand how to do block WOW, simply log into your router, access the blocked services area, and set up a port blocking of 3724, all the time, 24/7, and for TCP protocal. This stops all server access.

Good luck.
Randy

John

Randy, I am sorry to hear of your son’s misfortune. I do not agree, however, that it is WoW’s fault. Yes, WoW may have been the instrument in which he used to succumb to this way, but WoW is just a means to his end. He would have become this way regaldless of what he played/enjoyed. It could have been any game or activity in which he took interest in. Do not flame World of Warcraft for the fact that your son cannot control his pasttimes.

Wayne

Wow. It sounds like your 21 year old has really broke the rules. Or have you? First Hes 21, so blocking access and trying to be a parent to another adult is just a form of control that isn’t going to help you or his situation. And i mean that with the highest of respect. Second, You should probably get to the root of the so called “addiction” talk to him and get him a therapist. Americans often use control and try to fix the effects not the cause. Shame on you. Third, Have you seen the Economy lately…even with college, people are banding together back at home waiting for the economy to tumble further. With the same argument Hes needs to work. In any case, even if it was enough to Offset you expenses then so be it. No harm, no foul.